iMac- Possible Drive Failure....Again

About a month ago, my iMac started acting funky again, only I didn't receive any drive failure alerts.  I ran several diagnostic checks on the system and the system checks out fine.  I won't take it back to Apple's Genius Bar because the system is out of warranty and it also is too heavy to be taking back and forth to Apple.  I wouldn't mind taking it in if they told me it would be a warranty repair and if I wouldn't have to keep ferrying the system back to them.

I ran FSCK twice (the first time it had to clear out some issues...the second time it didn't alert on any issues).  I used Disk Utility in Recovery mode to check the drive (there were no warnings).  I checked the disk's permissions...there were many that needed corrections but it fixed them all.  I reset NVRAM.  I tried Safe Boot mode.  I reset the SMC.  Nothing is working.

I opened the system and cleaned it of dust.  I didn't see anything amiss internally (the inside wasn't uber-dusty, either).

What's happening?  The damned beach ball is taking over the computer, which is why I think it's a drive issue.  It could well be a RAM issue, especially since it's only got 4GB of RAM but it has been running fine on 4GB for YEARS.  I can't use Activity Monitor to check any of the resources because the damned beach ball won't let me open anything.

Another thing is that the system keeps opening all these apps that I ran the last time I used the system and some of them are resource-intensive (iMovie, for example)...I wish there was a way to tell the system to clear out any cached apps and to not run them anymore, since it's interfering with my troubleshooting.

I'll be ordering a drive from iFixit but I need to know what brand is inside the computer.  I'd much rather not have to open it again, but I might have to, since it's taking forever to check within OS X.

But before I do that, I'm going to reinstall OS X to see if this fixes the problem.  I checked Disk Utility yet again and don't see any errors or SMART warnings.  I actually scanned the system with the included Application CD, which has additional diagnostics...it didn't detect anything.  I think a reinstall of OS X may work as my daughter was running a crapload of 3rd party software for Minecraft...she may have hosed the system.

UPDATE:  Annnnddd...it's working.  I was right...there must've been an issue with the OS installation. I need to get current OS-wise, though...I had to go all the way back to Snow Leopard.  I can't even install Lion, Mountain Lion, or Yosemite until I download the 10.6.8 update.

UPDATE #2:  As of 10/14/15, it's still working without issue.

PC Gaming - War Thunder, BF4, ARK: Survival Evolved

I've been somewhat bored with gaming the last few months, so I've been forcing myself to play BF4 again.  I stopped playing that game maybe 7 months ago but began playing again 3 weeks ago.  I only play in Hardcore mode (kill/damage model is more rewarding and realistic), but usually played Conquest mode.  I gravitated to Team Death Match and Gun Master modes, as they've a lot more going on.  I've had a spikes in kills (and deaths) and have been obtaining lots of ribbons and medals (and equipment)...all with it being more fun than the other modes I was playing last year.  I have to keep mixing it up, I guess.

Prior to being re-engaged with BF4, I gave ARK: Survival Evolved a spin.  I do NOT like it.  It's not a bad game, but is too time-consuming.  If you have OCD, this might just be your type of game, though.  I'm not going to explain the game, but if you're curious, a simple Google search will help.  Much of the game is open-ended (it's an open world that is undeveloped...you've to develop it).

I've also decided to try again with War Thunder.  I'd tried it awhile back and played it for maybe a week or two, then got bored with it.  I've been playing it again for maybe 2-3 days so far and I've gotten more kills/assists these last 2-3 days than I did in the 7-14 the last time I played it.  I've also been watching LOTS of WT tutorials on YouTube, which helps.  I'm also working my way through the game's single player tutorials and I'm finally working my way through some of the single player campaigns.  I've been doing this to get the extra virtual money and upgrade points, but realized that going through them would help me learn crucial WT knowledge/skills.  I also fly online nightly.  Normally I don't like learning games while being online, as experts tend to prey on those new to the game and that usually makes learning very frustrating, but it's different with WT, as when you fly in multiplayer mode, it matches you with others of your skill level.  This is something that I think a lot of games would benefit from (or, the game end users).  I've been very satisfied with WT the last few days and will probably continue to play the game.  I've been playing Arcade mode, but the plan is to eventually migrate up through the modes as I become more proficient with flying.

Maybe I'll capture some Fraps gameplay footage, post it to YouTube, and link it here.